Patent Application
20240294312
Liquids, especially drinkable perishable liquids, can also be stored in PET bottles and cardboard containers in addition to glass bottles. In some aspects, the latter have a smaller ecological footprint and can also be at least partially recycled, for example. Different closures are used to seal the packaging. In order to further reduce the ecological footprint, there is therefore a need for various improvements which, on the one hand, reduce the amount of material used and, on the other hand, also improve recyclability. This applies not only to the cardboard and the packaging as such, but also to the closures.
A multi-part closure is proposed here which is provided, among other things, for carton packages, the carton packages containing a liquid, in particular a chilled drinkable and perishable liquid. Among other things, ease of use is a primary consideration, so that, in particular, accidental spillage is reduced.
In one aspect, a multi-part closure is proposed, particularly for a liquid-containing carton package. The closure includes a base portion having a planar support and a neck integrally disposed thereon. The neck in turn includes a neck opening, a detent ring surrounding the neck, and a screw cap having a locking ring and having a closure cap attached to the locking ring via a film hinge. The locking ring is arranged at least partially between the support and the detent ring around the neck and is rotatably held by the locking ring. According to the proposed principle, the film hinge comprises a first hinge member forming part of the retaining ring and extending arcuately over a partial circumference of the retaining ring. In addition, a second hinge member forming part of the closure cap is provided, which extends in an arcuate manner over a partial circumference of the closure cap opposite the first hinge member.
The two hinge parts are connected to each other via a three-portion hinge joint with a center portion and two outer portions spaced from the center part. At least the two outer poprtions are designed in such a way that they exert an at least partially increasing tensile force up to a limit angle during a rotation about a line of rotation and then an at least partially decreasing tensile force during a further rotation from this limit angle.
In some aspects, the line of rotation is at least parallel along the center portion and approximately the two outer portions, taking into account the curvature of the retaining ring or cap. With the proposed solution, a closure is created which, through its opening mechanism, repeatedly transfers the closure cap to a closed state up to a certain angle and keeps it in an open state from the limit angle. The limit angle is understood to be the angle of rotation by which the closure cap must be turned in order to achieve the said effect. In this way, liquid can be poured from the package without the cap inadvertently falling back again and thus splashing liquid. The closure according to the invention can be placed on a cardboard package and welded to it. However, the closure can also be placed on or used together with a foil pouch. Likewise, both liquids and solids such as powders and granules can be poured through the closure. The multi-part closure is thus suitable for a wide range of paper-or plastic-based packaging and for different fillers.
In some aspects, a distance of a boundary of the outer portions to the first hinge member to a boundary of the outer portions to the second hinge member increases with increasing distance from the center portion. In other words, the two outer portions become wider as the distance from the center part increases. The term boundary is understood to mean the edge or also the respective outer edges; in the case of the upper and lower edging, these merge into the hinge parts.
In another aspect, the outer rim of the outer portions substantially close with corresponding ends of the arcuately extending hinge parts. In this way, the rim is drawn all the way to the lower or upper end of the hinge parts. A tensile force generated during rotation is thus not only at a maximum, but due to the curvature of the hinge parts it increases from the central part outwards, i.e. in the direction of the boundary of the outer parts. In this context, it may be useful if a length of an outer rim of the two outer portions is at least twice as long as a length of an inner rim adjacent to the center portion. Optionally, larger undershoots are also possible, for example by a factor of 2.5 to 4.5.
In a further aspect, the hinge is configured to hold the closure cap in an open state at an angle of at least 90° rotated about the hinge in a closed state, and in particular in the range of 115° to 145°, but more particularly greater than 120° rotated about the hinge joint. In other words, the hinge is designed to exert a force on the closure cap when a defined position is exceeded after a rotation by the hinge joint, so that this closure cap cannot be rotated back beyond this position without additional force. This ensures that the closure cap also remains open in such an open state and does not unintentionally rotate back again, for example, when pouring a liquid from the carton pack.
Some aspects concern the shape of the closure cap and the locking ring in adjacent areas to the hinge parts. These allow the cap to be guided during an opening operation, but also during a closing operation, without the cap becoming jammed on the neck. This simplifies the operation. To this end, in some aspects, it is provided that the closure cap extends toward the retaining ring in a region adjacent to the outer rim of the outer portions. In this manner, the closure cap closes adjacent to the boundary, thereby also providing a degree of protection. In a similar manner, it is also possible that the boundary of the outer parts are adjacent to edges of respective extension sections of the retaining ring, the edge extending towards the closure cap. In this connection, the extension sections may run along the retaiing ring and thus join the hinge parts.
In some aspects, two ramped extension sections are provided extending to either side of the first hinge member subsequently along a portion of the retaining ring and rising toward the first hinge member. Similarly, two widening sections may also be provided which extend to either side of the second hinge member subsequently along a portion of the locking cap and slope away from the second hinge member with increasing distance therefrom. In this regard, a rise of the ramp-shaped extension portions occurs in a step-like manner, in particular in at least 2 steps. An angle of rise may be different between the first stage and the second stage.
In some aspects, it has been found convenient for the rim of the extension sections to be approximately 40% to 50% of the length of the boundary. The same is true for an rim length of the closure cap. In some aspects, the respective length of the rims is about 50% such that they are about the center of the outer rim.
Some aspects deal with the axis or line of rotation about which rotation occurs during opening and closing. In such aspects, the line of rotation may extend at least partially through the center portion. During an opening, in some aspects, the center portion may move outwardly during a rotation to open the closure cap.
In order to avoid misalignment during a closure or, more precisely, a reclosure, the line of rotation of a plane spanned by the neck opening may be closer than the first and second locking elements. In other words, the joint (as viewed from the support) is thus above or at least level with the first or second locking element. In one aspect, the flexible joint extends at a level of a lower edge of the sealing ring, that is, at the level of the edge of the sealing ring facing the support. In further aspects, a curvature of the first hinge member may be greater than a curvature of the second hinge member.
In a further aspect, the neck comprises at least one first locking element. According to the proposed principle, the closure cap comprises at least one second locking element that, in a closed state, cooperates with the at least one first locking element to close the neck opening with the closure cap in a fluid-tight manner. Further, the screw cap is configured such that, in the closed state, rotation of the screw cap about the neck in a first direction causes the screw cap to open.
The proposed multi-part closure achieves this by ensuring that all elements of the screw cap remain coupled to the lower part even after a container has been opened and closed several times, thus enabling easier disposal together with the packaging. Since the cap remains connected to the bottom part, both elements can be disposed of together.
In one aspect, the retaining ring is connected to the closure cap via a plurality of connecting webs forming predetermined breaking points such that visual evidence of opening of the closure is thereby effected. In addition, in order to couple the retaining ring securely and in particular non-detachably in the above sense to the lower part, in one aspect it may be provided that the detent ring is designed with its side facing the planar support substantially parallel to the support. The side facing away from the planar support may be oblique to the support. Thus, the parallel side of the detent ring provides an effective boundary for the retaining ring and prevents stripping or generally displacement of the ring in the direction of the neck opening, the so-called z-direction. There may be sufficient space between the support and the detent ring so that the retaining ring has a slight play in the z-direction. As a result, the retaining ring can be rotated but is still not mounted so that it can be displaced.
In a further aspect, the retaining ring comprises a plurality of retaining elements configured to substantially non-releasably retain the retaining ring about the neck in cooperation with the detent ring. In intended use, particularly during manufacture, the retaining ring is slid over the detent ring from the neck opening such that the retaining elements are first pressed against the retaining ring by the detent ring, and once the retaining ring has been fully slid over the detent ring, engage along the side facing the support.
In another aspect, the first locking element has at least four partially overlapping male thread segments having a first pitch. The second locking element has at least three at least partially overlapping internally threaded segments having a second pitch. The first and second pitch may be different, in particular the second pitch is slightly less than the first pitch, so that a force is exerted on the closure cap in the closed state by the interlocking of the threads, which closes the neck opening with the closure cap in a liquid-tight manner.
The length of the external threads as well as the internal threads depends on the number of the respective threads. Generally, if there are multiple male thread segments, they may be 0.35 to 0.7 times a neck circumference, particularly in the range of 0.45 to 0.65 times a neck circumference. Similarly, a length of the internal thread may correspond to substantially 0.20 to 0.5 times, in particular in the range of 0.25 to 0.45 times, or even 0.30 to 0.40 times, in particular in the range of 0.35 to 0.55 times, a circumference of the inner side of the closure cap on which the internal thread is arranged. Generally, the length and the pitch are selected such that the force generated by the threads in the closed state effectively closes the opening.
In a further aspect, the one first locking element comprises at least one connecting external threaded segment that adjoins the at least one external threaded segment and is configured to guide the at least one internal threaded segment into the external threaded segment during a rotational movement of the closure cap. This facilitates “gripping” of the internally threaded segment during closure of the opening by the closure. For this purpose, it may be provided that a pitch of the connection external thread segment is different from first pitch, in particular smaller than the first pitch. For example, the pitch of the connection external thread segment can correspond to the second pitch, i.e. the pitch of the internal thread segment. Alternatively, the pitch of the connection external thread segment may change. This can also improve gripping and guiding of the internally threaded segment and give the user a sense of when the fastener is “gripping” during the rotation process.
For further improvement of a haptic impression and to prevent unintentional opening, a latching cam can be provided near the respective end in the external thread segment. This is designed to engage in a notch in the inner thread in a closed state of the closure cap. On the one hand, this provides the user with a haptic feedback indicating “closure”, and on the other hand it prevents unintentional opening. Alternatively, the latching cam can also be located on the inner thread and the indentation on the external thread segment.
In another aspect, the sealing of the closure cap relates to achieving and maintaining the fluid seal. In one aspect, the closure cap comprises a sealing ring that engages the neck opening in a fluid-tight manner when the closure cap is in a closed state. To this end, in embodiments, an outer diameter of the sealing ring may be slightly larger than the neck opening. The neck opening may further have an inwardly curved tab that is flexibly configured to fully engage with the sealing ring.
In some aspects, in order to avoid becoming entangled when the neck opening is opened and closed by means of the closure cap, it is provided that the sealing ring comprises a height that also increases with increasing distance from the hinge. In other words, the height of the sealing ring is not the same, but changes depending on the position and distance from the hinge. The height of the sealing ring is understood to be the distance from the base of the ring on the closure cap to the lower edge of the ring, which extends furthest into the neck when closed. Thus, in some aspects, the sealing ring is configured such that, with respect to a cross-section along a plane passing through the hinge and the center of the closure cap, a portion of the sealing ring facing the hinge has a lower height than a portion of the sealing ring facing away from the hinge. The difference in height results in an angle along this cross-section with respect to an axis parallel to the closure cap that is in the range of 1.5° to 5°, in particular about 1.7° to 2.3°.
In another aspect, a side of the sealing ring facing the neck opening is shorter than an inner side of the sealing ring. This ensures that the sealing ring sweeps along the neck opening during closure, so that a seal is achieved, particularly with the different radii of the ring and neck opening. At the same time, the sealing ring is prevented from becoming entangled during closure.
In one embodiment, the neck opening has a smaller outer diameter than a neck base, particularly in the area of the retaining ring. In addition, in some aspects, the closure cap can include corrugation on its circumferential side flank with vertically extending ridges. This allows the closure cap to be more easily gripped and a user to better control the force applied to the cap. In addition, the number of ridges per unit length can vary. Thus, the haptic impression further facilitates use.
Hereinafter, various aspects of the invention will be explained in detail with reference to several embodiments.
It goes without saying that the individual aspects of the embodiments shown in the above figures can be readily combined without contradicting the principle of the invention. The individual figures and aspects are not necessarily of the correct size, but the proportions between individual elements should be substantially correct. In particular, terms such as “above”, “above” “below”, “below” “larger”, “smaller” and the like are correctly represented with respect to the elements in the figures. In this respect, it is possible to infer such relationships between elements based on the figures.
The multi-part closure comprises a lower part with a flat support 2. In the present embodiment, the support 2 is circular, but it can also have a different shape. A neck 22 (shown in
Furthermore, the multi-part closure also comprises a screw cap 3 with a closure cap 33 and a retaining ring 31. The retaining ring 31 and the closure cap 33 are connected to each other by a film hinge 32. The screw cap 3 with its elements is also made in one piece and is manufactured, for example, like the lower part, by means of injection molding. A corrugation 9 is additionally attached to the closure cap, which on the one hand provides visual feedback to a user and on the other hand serves for better gripping for a rotary movement for opening or closing the closure cap 33.
In the perspective view shown here, the retaining ring 31 further comprises a first arcuate hinge member 315 that is directly adjacent to the retaining ring 31. In turn, the locking cap 33 comprises a second hinge member, which is also arcuate, but comprises a smaller curvature than the first hinge web. The lengths of both hinge members along the retaining ring or the closure cap are the same. Both hinge members are connected to each other by a three-portion hinge joint 32, which will be explained in more detail with reference to
In the opened state of
The screw cap 3 is again arranged with its lower part between the surface of the support 21 and a detent ring 24. Detent ring 24 is part of neck 22. Here, retaining ring 31 and detent ring 24 are designed in such a way that the retaining ring is held freely rotatable between detent ring and support, yet cannot be moved beyond the detent ring. In this respect, the retaining ring 31 is thus restricted in movement in the z-direction, i.e. towards the neck opening 23. The retaining ring is smooth, i.e. in contrast to the closure cap it does not have any corrugation. On the one hand, this saves material and, on the other hand, indicates a visual separation between the closure cap and the retaining ring. Closure cap 33 comprises a second locking element 34 on its inner side in the form of two threaded segments 340. A notch 355ais arranged at one end of each internally threaded segment, the functionality of which will be explained below. In addition, the closure cap 33 comprises a sealing ring 36.
In the embodiment of
In the example of
Additionally, in this embodiment, it can be seen that the outer portions 32a and 32b are slightly bent and curved outward. This provides some play during unlocking, but still provides sufficient pull to hold the cap in the open condition. The length of the outer portions increases outwardly away from the center portion as the distance between the two hinge threads 315 and 335 increases.
Adjacent to the respective outer edges of the outer members 32a and 32b are, firstly, edges 316a of extension portions 316 of the retaining ring 31 which adjoin the arcuate hinge member 315. The edge extends from the end of the hinge member 315 toward the closure. In this embodiment, the edge is not exactly perpendicular, but at a slight angle away from the hinge member, so that a slight additional space is created here by allowing the outer member to fit and not jam during opening and closing. Similarly, an edge of extension portions 335 of the closure is adjacent to the outer edge of the outer members. This edge can similarly be non-perpendicular such that a dirt-shaped recess is formed, but can also be configured to be perpendicular.
In the embodiment, the extension sections 316 and 335 are ramps that are closely spaced in a closed state. The ramp of the extension section 316 decreases with increasing distance from the hinge member 315 and merges into the retaining ring 31. Correspondingly, the ramp of the extension section 335 increases and eventually merges into the wall of the closure cap. The ramps here are in steps, with two inclined sections 316b and 316d and an intermediate section 316c extending parallel to the retaining ring therebetween. The angles of the inclined sides are slightly different with the shallower angle in the area of the first section 316b. The courses of the extension section 335 are corresponding to this. In addition, the fluting of the closure cap already begins in the central region of the extension section. The embodiment shown here prevents the outer portions from becoming entangled during opening and closing. The ramps provide some protection and allow for easy fabrication using a molding process.
Neck 22 further comprises a plurality, at least 4, of external threads 250 disposed circumferentially about the neck. The external threads 250 each comprise a constant pitch, which may depend, for example, on the number of external threads, the thickness of the individual external threads, and the distance between the external threads. In the present embodiment example, for example, the pitch height is characterized by the parameter P=12. Furthermore, the external threads 250 overlap and extend over an angular range of approximately 80° to 110°. As a result, when the closure cap is rotated, the internal thread is guided through the various external threads so that the closure cap or sealing ring interacts with the neck opening and seals it in a fluid-tight manner. A detent cam 355 is provided at the end of each segment, which is engaged by the indentation of the internal thread segment 355a in a closed condition. In addition to providing a restraining function against accidental opening, a user is also provided with a haptic impression when the closure is closed.
As can be seen in
In addition to the detent ring 24, the neck 22 also includes the first locking element 25 shown in cross-sectional view, which is formed with an external thread having a plurality of segments 250. Clearly shown in
Referring again to
Furthermore, in some embodiments, the sealing ring 36 comprises two special features. Firstly, its height, i.e. the distance from the inside of the closure cap to the lowermost point of the respective sealing ring, is dependent on the distance from the line of rotation of the film hinge 32, as can be seen, for example, in the cross-section of
It should also be mentioned that a large difference in height may not mean any improvement in terms of opening and closing, but additional material must be expended. A range of 1.5° to approx. 4° has proven to be a good compromise for the intended opening, provided that such functionality is desired. In this context, it should be mentioned that the angle also depends on the size of the opening and the distance between the hinge and the opening. The smaller the distance, the larger the angle should be. The same applies to the height of the hinge in relation to the upper edge of the neck opening. If the hinge is at the same height or slightly above, the angle can be smaller or even 0°. The further below the hinge is in relation to the upper edge of the neck opening, the larger the angle should be.
The different height of the sealing ring depending on the distance from the hinge additionally reduces the risk of the sealing ring and the neck opening being misjudged when the closure cap is opened or closed. In particular, it is also ensured that the lower area of the sealing ring engages in the neck opening at the same time.
A second feature of the sealing ring is the shape of the lower edge, which is beveled as shown in
This unfolded embodiment is shown in
The externally threaded segments shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the film hinge 32 includes a first hinge member 315 that forms part of the retaining ring 31 and a second hinge member 335 that forms part of the closure cap. The second hinge member 335 also comprises a corrugation that is different from the corrugation 9 on the walls of the rest of the closure cap. The hinge 32 joint is made in three pieces from a flexible material and includes a central portion 32c and two outer portions 32a and 32b. These integrally connect the retaining ring 31 and the closure cap 33. In this regard, the hinge member 315 comprises a downwardly formed parabolic or other curved shape. The design of the second hinge member 335 is correspondingly formed, which also rises along a curved path to a maximum and then falls away again. In the region of the center portion 32c, the curvature is very small and only increases at the outer portions, so that the center part generates no or only a very small tensile force during opening. An axis of rotation or line of rotation runs through the center portion, with the center portion slightly spaced from the two outer portions.
Between the two curved hinge members, the material of the hinge is arranged on the respective opposite surfaces. Because of the curvature, the material (especially the outer portions) in the outer areas, i.e. at a distance from a center of the hinge, is subjected to a stronger pull when the closure 33 is opened. This tension generates a counterforce that must be overcome during a rotational movement of the closure cap about the line of rotation as in the first embodiment. The force increases upon rotational movement to a maximum at which the pull on the material of the outer portions 32a and 32b of the film hinge 32 is at a maximum. During a further rotational movement, this tension decreases again. As a result, the material of the flexible hinge acts like a snap element, whereby a maximum angle is set, beyond which the snap element by its pull brings the closure cap into the unfolded shape and holds it there.
Unlike the first embodiment, however, the outer sections are not curved, but run in a straight line. In addition, the extension sections are designed as a simple and shorter ramp. They divide the edge of the outer parts in half in each case.
Closure cap 33 includes a sealing ring 36 of similar design to the previous example, and a film hinge 32 with a flexible joint comprising the two outer portions 32a and 32b and the central portion. The film hinge is slightly relaxed in the unfolded state, and a rotational movement back again would thus result in a tensile force counteracting the rotational movement. This holds the closure cap in the opened state. An opening angle of the closure cap in the unfolded state is more than 90° and can, for example, be in the range of 115° to 150°, in particular around 120°.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2021 117 931.9 | Jul 2021 | DE | national |
The present application is a national stage of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2022/069518 filed on Jul. 12, 2022, which claims priority to DE application No. 10 2021 117 931.9 dated Jul. 12, 2021, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/069518 | 7/12/2022 | WO |
